MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice acknowledged scalping some of his personal Super Bowl ticket allotment last month in violation of NFL rules, according to a published report.
"I probably shouldn't have sold my tickets," Tice told SI.com in a report posted on the Web site. "I made a mistake. I regret it. I'll never do it again. I'm going to be in trouble. I'll probably get slapped with a big fine."
The revelation came two days after SI.com first reported that Tice was being investigated for allegedly heading up a ticket-scalping operation within the Vikings organization.
The NFL acknowledged that it is looking into allegations that Tice scalped Super Bowl tickets. Tice confirmed to the Associated Press that he had met with league security officials, but declined to elaborate.
According to SI.com, Tice told NFL security investigators that he scalped part of his allotment of 12 tickets to this year's Super Bowl.
"I sold some of my tickets this year," Tice told SI.com. "I did. I told the league that and I told (team owner) Red McCombs that. I'm not going to lie. But if I'm going to be thrown out this year for selling tickets, then I'm a scapegoat. If I'm guilty of anything, I'm guilty of selling some of my tickets. I am not guilty of buying any player tickets since I've been made the head coach (in January 2002)."
The Web site also reported that Tice acknowledged he scalped Super Bowl tickets as a Vikings assistant coach from 1996-2001, and that he told his assistants this year that they could sell their Super Bowl tickets to a California ticket agency that he has long dealt with.
Tice acknowledged purchasing 12 Super Bowl tickets from the NFL this year, but he said he did not scalp all of them.
Each NFL player and assistant coach has the right to purchase up to two Super Bowl tickets at face value, which this year was $500 and $600 depending on the seat.
When asked if Tice's admission would bring a fine, NFL vice president of public relations Greg Aiello said, "It'll be up to the commissioner to decide a penalty."
Aiello noted that the league has fined offenders in the past and has also asked clubs to terminate those employees.
Tice said he has been asked not to speak about the ongoing investigation by both his attorney and Vikings owner Red McCombs, who issued a statement of support for Tice.
